Service levy focus in Mingo

July 24, 2013

MINGO JUNCTION - A levy on the Nov. 5 ballot for garbage and other villages services was discussed during Tuesday's Village Council meeting.

Steve Maguschak, village police chief and acting village administrator, told council members the village's new garbage compaction system is up and running.

"The compactor is operational," said Maguschak. "I'm still trying to get prices for the fence (surrounding the unit). This upcoming garbage levy is imperative. Without those funds the village's service department will be (defunct)."

Maguschak also said he was trying to find a contractor to install a new roof on the village's Municipal Building. A bucket in the corner in council chambers was catching rainwater as the meeting proceeded.

"I do have estimates from three contractors (for a new roof)," he said. "I couldn't find anyone willing to bid on a truss roof."

Council previously considered a steel truss roof instead of a conventional roof. The matter will be discussed during a finance committee meeting set for 11 a.m. Thursday.

In other matters:

It was announced Rob Parissi Day is set for Aug. 11, with a banquet in his honor to begin at 5 p.m. at the Mingo Junction Knights of Columbus. The cost is $25 per person, and tickets can be purchased by Aug. 5 by calling (740) 317-1963. The guest speaker will be a former director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

It also was noted by council members that McLister Avenue's name will remain the same. However, it also will be given the honorary name of Rob Parissi Boulevard in honor of the village's favorite son and musician.

Councilman Mike Herrick, chairman of the recreation committee, said concerts would be scheduled for every Wednesday in August at Aracoma Park. Herrick also said he was upset by rumors that volunteers doing maintenance at the park are paid employees. Herrick said all are volunteers, and no one is being paid for the improvements.

"No one is getting paid any money for (the maintenance)," said Herrick, saying again that all are volunteers and the supplies were purchased through grants. "These people should be getting a thank you for this."

Herrick also asked village resident-volunteers to gather at 9 a.m. Aug. 2-3 at the village's Municipal Building for a village-wide cleanup.

Attorney John J. Mascio, representing the G&M Family Limited Partnership Trust, approached council seeking permission to vacate portions of Sussanna and Elizabeth streets adjacent to property owned by the trust.

"It would give us one large piece of property (that could be used for development)," said Mascio. "(The streets) aren't being used for anything."

It was noted all abutting landowners would have to agree to the vacation along with the trust administrator. Mascio also said a survey would need to be conducted for a deed. Council members said they would consider the request.

Council members said residents would be receiving letters from energy brokers explaining electric rate aggregation and options on some aspects of village electric customers' bills. Maguschak said no action on the aggregation would be considered until later in the year once residents understood the issue.

Mike Maguschak, village web administrator, said the village's web site, at www.mingojct.us, is getting some traffic.

"Our website recently had 950 views, while our Facebook page has 62 'likes,'" said Maguschak, adding the computer for the village seniors center had been repaired.

Council voted to take $363,000 from the village's general fund and deposit it into a contingency fund for emergencies only. The funds originally had been in the village community complex fund, and Jefferson County Common Pleas Court Judge David Henderson recently issued a ruling allowing the village to transfer the money to the village's general fund.

It was announced the senior citizens' picnic will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the village shelterhouse.